SOME 74 hectares of government-owned forest land was destroyed in a bushfire in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, the police reported.

Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, said the incident happened around 7 a.m. Sunday, December 9, at Sitio Lugawang Bugas in Palomoc village, Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Galvez said the residents in the area saw the fire broke out around 7 a.m. that had suddenly gone out of control and rapidly spread around the forest land of Titay municipality.

The police official said investigation showed that the bushfire was most likely triggered by the hottest and driest weather condition.

She said that some parts of the damaged 74 hectares forest land are planted to rubber and mahogany trees since most consist of grassy area.

There was no reported casualty and the fire was contained around 1:20 p.m. Sunday, she added. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)